Compassionate support for families affected by CDH

In 2021, I heard the words "congenital diaphragmatic hernia" for the first time as I received the news that our daughter would be born with CDH. The fear, panic, and questions instantly overwhelmed me, and I wondered how we would navigate this journey. I felt alone, and our family felt alone. 

Shortly after receiving the diagnosis I stumbled upon an online community of parents who were navigating a CDH diagnosis, those who had children who survived CDH, and those who had lost their precious children to CDH. This community allowed me to feel seen, understood and less alone. Knowing that others understood and could empathize with our journey alleviated the burden of needing to explain this diagnosis in order to receive support, while providing insight into how to explain this condition to friends, family or providers and empowered me to learn how to advocate for myself and my daughter. 

Our daughter, Lily, had additional complications and diagnoses that ultimately made the severity of her CDH life-limiting when she was born. We were blessed to spend 83 wonderful minutes with our daughter before she passed. 

It is the personal connection to CDH that created the desire to fill the gap that exists in mental health care and therapy support for families affected by CDH. I seek to do this by providing empathic care that is rooted in hope for every child born with CDH, understanding and awareness of CDH, compassionate presence, and high-quality counseling services. 

I am honored to provide high quality counseling services with the added  and supportive benefits of personal understanding, empathy, and relationship to families navigating a CDH diagnosis.

Lily Renken was born on April 19, 2021, a date known in the CDH community as the International Day of Awareness for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. It is a honor and a privilege to support parents and families impacted by CDH in honor of Lily. 

• Tiny Hero
• CDH International
• The CDH Foundation
• Fore Hadley
• CDH Stars and Angels